Life Sciences Commons^™

Breeding Ewe Lambs To Lamb First As Yearlings, Nyle J. Matthews

Archived Agriculture Publications

Getting the highest possible production from ewes is a goal of every sheep producer. Sheep respond well to management and will usually pay a producer for the extra times he spends in caring for them. Breeding ewe lambs is a practice that can pay dividends but requires the right management to make it work. Many years ago this practice was deemed unwise because it severely affected the young mothers in many ways. Modern research has spelled out requirements in terms of size and management that make a successful, workable program.

Vocal Perception: Brain Event-Related Potentials In A Chimpanzee, Gary G. Berntson, Sarah T. Boysen, Michael W. Torello

Sentience Collection

We describe the first brain event-related potential (ERP) study of cognitive processes in the chimpanzee. In an extension of our studies on the ontogeny of vocal perception, ERP measures were obtained during the presentation of simple nonsignal stimuli as well as conspecific and human vocalizations. We initially confirmed findings from humans and monkeys of the appearance of a long-latency positivity in the ERP waveform to a rare stimulus in an oddball paradigm. This ERP component is reminiscent of the P3a reported in humans under similar (passive) experimental conditions. We further demonstrated that both conspecific and human vocal stimuli having affective …

Ranch Management Practices In The Sandhills Of Nebraska: Managing Production, Sean A. Coady, Richard T. Clark

Historical Research Bulletins of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station

This report represents the second in a two-part series that summarize a comprehensive survey of Nebraska Sandhills range cattle operations. The focus of this report is on management of the production aspects of the ranch business and provides details on pasture and meadow management, hay production, crops, breeding programs, nutritional programs, and maintaining the health of the herd.

An Update On The Biological Control Of Rabbits, Stuart Wheeler

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

When myxomatosis was introduced into Western Australia in the early 1950s, farmers, pastoralists and government alike thought it was an answer to the rabbit problem.

The disease was devastatingly effective in the short term and initially had a 99 per cent kill rate. With time, the virus declined in strength, and the surviving rabbits have multiplied.

There have been many recent reports about new forms of biological control for rabbits and potential improvements in old ones.

This article summarises each of the prospective methods and improvements, and assesses the potential usefulness of each.

A Standardized G‐Banded Karyotype For The Raccoon (Procyon Lotor) Compared With The Domestic Cat, Roscoe Stanyon, Francesca Bigoni, Johannes Weinberg, John Hadidian

Genetics Collection

We propose a standardized karyotype for the raccoon (Procyon lotor; 2n = 38, FN 74) and compare it with that of the domestic cat (2n = 38, FN 72). Numerous chromosomes (12) have similar and sometimes identical G-banding and 14 chromosome pairs have remained intact. Other chromosomes apparently differ by Robertsonian translocations and inversions. The conservation of these karyotypes is remarkable considering that the divergence of procyonids and felids predates 50 million years B.P. However, the common diploid number of 38 is not a primitive retention, as sometimes hypothesized. Instead, cats and raccoons converged on this chromosome number by a …

Assessing Animal Well-Being: Common Sense, Uncommon Science, David Fraser

Assessment of Animal Welfare Collection

The scientific assessment of the well-being of an animal involves finding indicators of three broad criteria: 1) a high level of biological functioning; 2) freedom from suffering in the sense of prolonged fear, pain, and other negative experiences; and 3) positive experiences such as comfort and contentment. The tools available to assess animal wellbeing include a mixture of common sense and cutting-edge science. Measures of animal productivity can help to assess an animal’s level of biological functioning, but they need to be used with care. Among veterinary approaches, pathology detects breakdown in biological functioning, while epidemiology identifies the circumstances under …

Refinements In Rabbit Husbandry, The Bvaawf/Frame/Rspca/Ufaw Joint Working Group On Refinement

Breeding of Laboratory Research Animals Collection

The aims of this report are to identify the needs of domesticated rabbits and to present information on ways in which the current systems of housing rabbits can be improved for the benefit of all concerned: the animal, the scientist, the animal technician and the breeder.

In recent years an increasing number of establishments have changed from standard caging to group housing systems, despite the traditionally-held view that mature rabbits cannot be housed together. In this report group housing in floor pens is discussed in detail (Section 2), with both the advantages and disadvantages of this system presented. It is …

Growth And Survival Of Larval Fishes: The Role Of Zooplankton Abundance And Competition, Michael T. Welker

Masters Theses

Interactions among larval gizzard shad, bluegill and zooplankton prey were examined via a controlled mesocosm experiment and field sampling in Lake Shelbyville, Illinois. In the mesocosm experiment gizzard shad growth and survival were negatively correlated with shad density and positively correlated with macrozooplankton prey. Bluegill growth was also positively correlated with prey availability, but survival was uniformly high despite differences in zooplankton abundance and fish density. Declines in macrozooplankton and copepod biomass were related to fish density. In Lake Shelbyville limnetic overlap of larval gizzard shad and bluegill was limited to a three week period, with the interval of greatest …

In Vitro Digestibility Of Sorghum Parent Lines Predicts Nutritional Value Of Their Hybrid Offspring In Cannulated Finishing Pigs (1993), B J. Healy, P J. Bramel-Cox, Robert H. Hines, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Nutritional value of eight sorghum hybrids, resulting from matings of four male lines with two male-sterile lines, was determined. The male lines were two sorghums with consistently high in vitro digestibility (High-digestibility 1 and Highdigestibility 2) and two sorghums with consistently low in vitro digestibility (Lowdigestibility 1 and Low-digestibility 2). The male-sterile lines were Kansas 52 and Redlan, two lines commonly used for genetic testing by sorghum breeders. The hybrids were fed to eight barrows fitted with ileal T-cannulas and also evaluated for starch digestibility in ruminal fluid. Corn was used as a control. Corn had greater ileal and total …

The Influence Of Dietary Lysine On Carcass Characteristics And Subprimal Cut Distribution Of High-Lean Growth Gilts Fed To 230 And 300 Lb (1993), S R. Stuewe, K G. Friesen, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband, Michael D. Tokach, John A. Unruh

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Seventy-two high-lean growth gilts were used to determine the effects of dietary lysine on carcass characteristics and subprimal cut distribution of gilts fed to 230 or 300 lb. The gilts were fed one of six lysine treatments (digestible lysine of .44, .54, .64, .74, .84, and .94% corresponding to .55, .67, .79, .91, 1.03, and 1.15% total lysine, respectively). For gilts fed to 230 or 300 lb, effects on carcass characteristics or subprimal cut distribution were minimal. For gilts fed to 230 lb, only slight linear decreases in 402 ham and boneless 402C ham were observed as dietary lysine increased. …

Comparison Of Feed-Grade Antibiotics In Starter Diets Containing Spray-Dried Blood Products (1993), K Q. Owen, Steven S. Dritz, Michael D. Tokach, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 240 pigs (initially 11.6 lb and 19 d of age) was used to compare four different feed-grade antibiotics or antibiotic combinations in phase I (d 0 to 14 postweaning) and phase II (d 14 to 28 postweaning) starter pig diets. Apramycin and carbadox were compared in the phase I diet. Combinations of tylosin/sulfamethazine and neomycin sulfate/oxytetracycline were compared in the phase II diet. No differences occurred in pig performance for the phase I and phase II periods between the feed-grade antibiotics compared in this growth assay. Therefore, determination of appropriate feed-grade antibiotic inclusion will depend on 1) …

Comparison Of Carbohydrate Sources For The Early-Weaned Pig (1993), C A. Kerr, Steven S. Dritz, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen, Michael D. Tokach

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 180 weanling pigs (initially 11.7 lb and 21 d of age) was used in a 35 d growth assay to compare various carbohydrate sources from d 0 to 14 postweaning in phase I. Pigs were allotted by weight and ancestry to one of five experimental diets with six pigs per pen and six replications per treatment. Pigs were fed one of five experimental diets from d 0 to 14 postweaning. The experimental carbohydrate sources compared were corn, oat flour, two modified potato starches, and lactose. All pigs were then fed a common phase II diet from d …

Appropriate Level Of Lactose In A Plasma Protein-Based Diet For The Early-Weaned Pig (1993), K Q. Owen, L J. Kats, Jim L. Nelssen, Michael D. Tokach, Robert D. Goodband, Steven S. Dritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 367 weanling pigs (initially 11.8 lb and 21 d of age) was used in a 28 d growth assay to determine the appropriate level of lactose needed in phase I diets containing spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) for the early-weaned pig. Pigs were blocked by weight and randomly assigned to one of six experimental diets: a positive control or five diets calculated to contain 7, 11, 15, 19, or 23% lactose. The positive control was a high nutrient density diet (HNDD) containing 7.5% SDPP, 1.75% spray-dried blood meal (SDBM), and 20% edible grade dried whey. The five lactose …

Influence Of Interleukin-1 On Neutrophil Function And Resistance To Streptococcus Suis In Young Pigs (1993), Jishu N. Shi, M M. Chengappa, D S. Mcvey, Frank Blecha, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen, Michael D. Tokach

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Nonspecific immunity is usually lower in young pigs than adults. Consequently, enhancing the young pig's nonspecific immune capability may be beneficial for the health and performance of early-weaned pigs. Twenty, 9-d-old, crossbred pigs were allotted by litter and weight into two treatment groups: recombinant bovine interleukin- 1β (rBoIL-1β; 5 μg/kg, intramuscularly at 9 and 10 d of age)) or control. Pigs were weaned at 10 d of age and housed in an isolation facility with ad libitum access to water and a pelleted diet formulated to meet the nutrient requirements and provide maximum growth of early-weaned pigs. Blood samples were …

Rate And Extent Of Losses From Top Spoilage In Alfalfa Silages Stored In Bunker Silos, D.L. Holthaus, D.R. Bonilla, L. Pfaff, D. Haverkamp, B.S. Dalke, R.N. Sonon, K. Budiongo, K.K. Bolsen, Matthew A. Young

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Alfalfa silages were made in pilot- and farm-scale silos, and five sealing treatments were compared. After 90 days, sealing dramatically reduced DM losses at the 5 and 10 in. depths in the farm silos and at the 0 to 12, 12 to 24, and 24 to 36 in. depths in the pilot silos. Extending the storage period to 180 days in pilot silos had no effect on DM losses for sealed or delay sealed silages, but DM losses for unsealed silages continued to increase at all three depths. Placing a roof over the unsealed, farm-scale silo increased the silage DM …

Reproductive Performance Of Yearling Beef Heifers After Estradiol Benzoate And Estrous Synchronization, R.P. Bolze, C.W. Peters

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Injectable estradiol (estradiol benzoate) was evaluated for its effect on the reproductive performance of yearling beef heifers whose estrous cycles were synchronized using the melengestrol acetate/prostaglandin F 2 α (MG- 2 A®/PG) system. Estradiol was injected 40 h after prostaglandin. Heifers were inseminated artificially (AI) 12 h after first observed heat during a 35-d AI period followed by 28 d of bull exposure. Estradiol had no effect on heat response or first-service pregnancy rate to AI during the synchronized period (5 d) and had no significant effect on overall AI pregnancy rate (35 d), cumulative pregnancy rate (63 d), or …

Summer Annual Forages In South Central Kansas, William F. Heer, Dale A. Blasi, Dale L. Fjell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Six summer annuals and three forage sorghums were evaluated for forage yield and quality under south central Kansas dryland conditions. When cut in the late boot to early heading stage, all forage types (millet, sudan, sorghum-sudan, and forage sorghum) produced similar dry matter yields, with no consistent differences in nutritional quality. Allowing the forages to reach maturity prior to cutting increased total yield per acre but decreased the crude protein content. The millets were higher in protein at maturity than the sudans or forage sorghums. However, the forage sorghums produced the most mature forage, whereas common sudan yielded the least. …

Value-Added Beef Processing: Increasing The Value Of Beef Shanks Using Baadertm Processing Technology, R.E. Campbell, Melvin C. Hunt

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Using a BaaderTM desinewing machine on beef shanks can increase the value of a beef carcass by $1 to $5 by improving palatability and texture and reducing fat. By varying belt pressure and drum opening size and passing shanks twice through the desinewer, we obtained commercially acceptable yields. Maximum lean yield was 93% of the shank using 5 mm drum holes for both passes. With 3 mm drum holes, very lean produced on the first pass. Using desinewed lean and flaking the sinew with an Urschel Commitrol®, we produced low-fat (10%) ground beef patties. Patties from desinewed lean alone and/or …

Influence Of Frequency Of Supplementation And Protein Concentration In Supplements On Digestion Characteristics Of Beef Steers Offered Wheat Straw, J.L. Beaty, R.C. Cochran, B.A. Lintzenich, E.S. Vanzant, J.L. Morrill, Robert T. Brandt, D.E. Johnson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Eight ruminally cannulated steers were used to determine digestion characteristics of soybean meal/sorghum grain supplements containing 12%, 20%, 30%, or 39% crude protein (CP) fed either daily (7X) or three times weekly (3X). The basal forage was wheat straw. Weekly supplement intake was the same per week (30.5 lb) for both frequency groups. The effect of feeding supplements differing in protein concentration on wheat straw intake and dry matter digestibility (DMD) did not depend on frequency of supplementation. Increased frequency of supplementation resulted in greater intake of straw, although DMD was slightly depressed. Increasing protein concentration in the supplements was …

Whole-Plant Corn, Forage Sorghum, And Grain Sorghum Silages For Growing Cattle, B.S. Dalke, R.N. Sonon, S.M. Gramlich, K.K. Bolsen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Agronomic and cattle performance traits were measured for eight silages produced in 1991. The silages were: irrigated Pioneer 3377 corn; dryland (early-planted) DeKalb 535 corn; irrigated and dryland DeKalb DK 42Y grain sorghum; and dryland forage sorghums Cargill 200F, Pioneer 947, Northrup King (NK) 300, and Funk's 102F. The irrigated corn and NK 300 and Funk's 102F forage sorghums had the highest whole-plant dry matter (DM) yields per acre; early-planted corn had the lowest yield. The dryland grain sorghum had the highest grain yield and the early-planted corn, the lowest. Average daily gains (ADG) were excellent for steers fed each …

Effect Of Level Of Supplemental Alfalfa And Its Method Of Processing On Intake And Utilization Of Wheat Straw, B.A. Lintzenich, R.C. Cochran, E.S. Vanzant, J.L. Beaty, G. St. Jean, Robert T. Brandt, Tiruvoor G. Nagaraja

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sixteen ruminally fistulated steers were used to study the effects of supplemental alfalfa level (.25 or 1.0% body weight [BW]) and method of processing (hay or pellets) on wheat straw utilization. Response to increased level of supplemental alfalfa did not dependent on method of processing (longstem vs pelleted) for the quality of alfalfa (22.7% CP) used in this trial. Increasing the level of alfalfa from .25 to 1.0% of BW reduced (P#.02) straw intake and diet digestibility, but increased (P<.002) digestible dry matter intake by steers. With high quality hay, ground and pelleted alfalfa elicits the same type of response as longstem alfalfa.

Growth And Reproductive Characteristics In Heifers Fed Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue And Oxytetracycline, C.W. Peters, F.K. Brazle, L.R. Corah

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Heifers developed on high-endophyte, tall fescue gained half as much weight (56 vs 117 lb; P<.01) and had a lower 35-day pregnancy rate (15 vs 58%; P<.01) compared to heifers fed low endophyte, tall fescue. Based on progesterone serum concentrations and visual determination of estrus, the proportion of heifers that had attained puberty by the start of the breeding season tended (P=.11) to be greater when fed oxytetracycline (55 vs 68%).

Endophyte-Infected, Tall Fescue Hay Utilization By Exercised, Yearling Horses, J.S. Pendergraft, M.J. Arns, R.H. Raub, K.K. Bolsen, F.K. Brazle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Fescue toxicity causes substantial production losses in sheep, cattle, and horses. These losses are attributed to an endophyte, Acremonium coenophialum. However, our results indicate that Quarter horse yearlings can be fed endophyte-infected tall fescue hay for at least 106 days with no detrimental effects on either growth or exercise performance. However, these findings have not been substantiated in other classes of horses or in horses consuming endophyte-infected fescue for longer durations.

Effect Of Bacterial Inoculants On The Preservation Of Alfalfa And Whole-Plant Corn Silages, K.K. Bolsen, R.N. Sonon, B.S. Dalke

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Inoculated and control alfalfa and corn silages were compared in pilot-scale silos. Inoculated silages for both crops had higher lactic acid contents and DM recoveries and lower values for pH, acetic acid, ethanol, and ammonia-nitrogen than controls"”evidence that the inoculants produced a more efficient fermentation. These results are consistent with numerous studies that compared untreated and inoculant-treated silages over a wide range of crops and ensiling conditions in our research during the past several years.

Relationship Between Expected Progeny Differences (Epd) And Performance Of Angus And Simmental Bulls In Central Bull Tests, D.D. Simms

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The performance of bulls (n = 656 for Angus and n = 1343 for Simmental) at the Beloit and Potwin bulls tests from 1989 to 1992 were compared to their expected progeny differences (EPDs). In general, correlations between on-test ADG and weaning and yearling EPD were low for both breeds. However, the correlations between actual yearling weight and yearling EPD was moderate for Angus. Differences in actual yearling weight were 2.80 and 1.71 pounds (for Angus and Simmental, respectively) for each pound of difference in yearling weight EPD, which is close to the 2.0 pound difference expected. Thus, although the …

Protein Supplementation Of Ammoniated Wheat Straw: Effect On Intake And Digestion In Beef Steers, G.D. Fike, D.D. Simms, R.C. Cochran, Robert T. Brandt Jr., E.S. Vanzant, Gerry L. Kuhl

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sixteen ruminally fistulated steers (avg wt. = 998 lb) were used in a 30-day conventional digestion trial to examine the effects of protein supplementation on intake and digestion of ammoniated wheat straw. Steers were assigned to one of four protein supplementation programs: 1) Control (C) - no supplement, 2) Low Protein (LP) - 4.5 lb of a 10% crude protein (CP) supplement, 3) Medium Protein (MP) - 4.5 lb of a 20% CP supplement, or 4) High Protein (HP) - 4.5 of a lb 30% CP supplement. Supplements were mixtures of milo and soybean meal. Supplementation increased (P<.05) dry matter intake, tended (P=.09) to increase intake of digestible neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and increased (P<.05) intake of forage dry matter. Dry matter digestibility was higher (P<.05) for HP steers than C and LP steers, but no difference was detected between MP, and HP steers. Steers on HP, MP, and C treatments exhibited higher NDF digestibility than LP steers. Rumen pH, total volatile fatty acid concentration, and acetate to propionate ratio were unaffected by supplementation.

Protein Supplementation Of Ammoniated Wheat Straw: Effect On Performance Of Beef Cows, G.D. Fike, D.D. Simms, Robert T. Brandt Jr., R.C. Cochran, E.S. Vanzant, Gerry L. Kuhl

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Mature, crossbred beef cows (n = 87 in 1990-91, n = 84 in 1991-1992) were used to determine the effects of protein supplementation to cows fed ammoniated wheat straw during late gestation. Treatments included: 1) Control (C) - no supplement, 2) Low Protein (LP) - 4.5 lb of a 10% crude protein (CP) supplement, 3) Medium Protein (MP) - 4.5 lb of a 20% CP supplement, and 4) High Protein (HP) - 4.5 lb of a 30% CP supplement. Supplementation increased weight gain over controls (P<.01). HP cows gained more (P=.05) weight than LP-supplemented cows and tended (P=.11) to gain more weight than MP-supplemented cows. Supplementation also increased body condition score (BCS, 1-9 scale) over control cows (P<.01), but no difference was noted among supplemented groups. From the end of the feeding period until weaning, cows previously supplemented lost more weight (P<.01) than controls and exhibited little change in BCS, whereas controls increased BCS by .5 during the same period. Calving dates, calf birth weights, calf weaning weights, calf average daily gain, percent of cows cycling prior to breeding, and percent of cows pregnant did not differ between treatments. Consequently, although additional protein increased weight gain prior to parturition, this response did not impact economically important traits.

Factors Affecting Cost Of Gain Of Feedlot Steers, M. Albright, Ted C. Schroeder, Michael R. Langemeier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study examined the relative effects of corn price and cattle performance factors on steer finishing cost of gain. Seasonal analysis of cost of gain and the factors affecting it was also conducted. Using over 10 years of closeout data from two western Kansas feedyards, corn prices, feed conversion, and daily gain explained 93 to 94% of the variation in steer finishing cost of gain. About 60% of the variability was explained by corn price alone. Cost of gain and feed conversion rates were seasonally below average for steers placed in February through August. Daily gain was seasonally high for …

Inflammatory Response Of Feedlot Cattle To Clostridial Vaccination: A Comparison Of 7-Way Bacterin-Toxoid And C&D Toxoid, Gerald L. Stokka, Robert T. Brandt Jr., A.J. Edwards, M.F. Spire, J.E. Smith

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Twenty-four finishing steers (758 lb) were subcutaneously vaccinated and revaccinated 31 days later with 1) sterile saline, 2) a clostridial perfringens C&D toxoid, or 3) a 7-way clostridial bacterin-toxoid to evaluate the effects of vaccine type on inflammatory response in feedlot cattle. Injection site reactions were most severe (P<.05) and persistent for 7-way bacterin-toxoid and were accompanied by elevated (P<.05) blood haptoglobin levels indicative of acute inflammation. Revaccination with 7-way bacterin-toxoid reduced (P<.05) feed consumption for a 4-day period postvaccination. Although some reactions were severe, they appeared transient because blood parameters and volume of injection site reactions returned to baseline levels 25 to 60 days after injection. Performance over the entire feeding period was not significantly altered by treatment. We strongly recommend that clostridial products be used subcutaneously only, to minimize potential damage to carcass tissue from intramuscular injection.

Effect Of Zinpro 100® In A Mineral Mixture On Gain And Incidence Of Footrot In Steers Grazing Native Grass Pastures, F.K. Brazle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In a 3-year study, crossbred steers averaging 585 lb were allotted to groups given either a control or zinc methionine-supplemented mineral mixture while grazing burned native pastures in early summer. The steers were monitored for weight gain and incidence of footrot. The addition of 100 lb Zinpro 100® (50% zinc methionine) per ton of free-choice mineral mixture improved (P<.06) steer daily gain .08 lb. and reduced the incidence of footrot 55% (5.38 vs. 2.45%; P<.06). The gain benefit could not be attributed entirely to reduced footrot, but appeared to also have a nutritional basis.